The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-17
NEGROES AND THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Episcopal Church, both North and
South, has always been inclined to boast-in a
a mild and Christian-iike way, of course
of the absence of prejudice in its rela-
.tions to the negroes, and of its iberality
towards that people. This claim was, in some
respects, at least well founded. AS general
thing colored people prefer separate religious
organizations, and when their num-
bers in any locality will justify it. their own
churches formed. When, from lack of
numbers, or any other reason, they desire to
unite with white congregations, it is matter
of common remark among them that they
find most cordial welcome in the Episcopal
Church, and colored worshipers are, perhaps,
more frequently seen in such churches than in
those of any other denomination. This in the
lAorth. La the South, were the greater num-
Der Of negroes renders it matter of no diff
Guilty to form separate congregations of Epis-
Icopalians the situation is somewhat different,
bbut it is unquestionably true that
great efforts have been made by this church
| to evangelize and educate the colored people
' of that region. To make them intelligent
christians and fit them to enter heaven on
equal terms with themselves was one thing,
however; to associate with them on equal terms
In this world was another. A vestry-
xnan might condescend to sit in the
same pew with an ex-slave and might
table, but to have that ex-slave recog-
nized as member of convention which con-
Quoted and regulated the business of the
church was thing to which he could not
calmly submit. 1t was the admission of two
negro ministers into the South Carolina con-
vention, some months ago. which caused the
withdrawal of number of white delegat es
That faction has just made its report, which
Is of great length. but was embodied in the
dispatches in the Journal day or two since,
and is in substance the same old argument
that arises whenever the black man takes a
step ahead. There is, it is said, danger of social
complications if colored people be taken
into church councils as equals with the
whites. This protesting element, which is COM
posed mostly of lay delegates, holds that the
convention has the right to pass upon the
qualifications of priest, but as this conflicts
with the doctrine that the Episcopal clergy
and bishops obtain their authority in such
matters from divine rather than human
source, it will probably not have much weight
in the supreme councils of the church. The
weakness of the argument advanced that the
Episcopal Church everywhere is a race
church" is disposed of by the Charleston
News and Courier which points out that 'sthe
Established Church Of England is not race
church; the different races of men stand on
precisely the some footing in that body; there
is no more distinction between English and
African than between fat man and lean; there
Is no more distinction account of color of
the skin than on account of the color of the
eyes or the hair. So it is with the Protestant
churches on the continent of Europe" It
would be better, that paper thinks, to take
1.-THE high and broad position that South Caro-
lima is exposed to perils from which other
States and peoples comparatively free.
This will justify or pallIate what nothing else
can excuse" In the meantime the News,
which Is evidently in sympathy with the lay
delegates, is forced to admit that the outlook
for harmony and peace is far from bright, and
the work of the church halts and stumbles.
In spite of its sympathies it recognizes the in
evitable, however, and confesses that
'they who oppose the participation
of colored clergymen in church
against the logic of events. The South Caro-
lima idea," it says twill not prevail against the
principles sad practice of the Christian world,
and no threat Of social equality will avail to
stem the tide. 1t is lost cause once
more II the News would be thus frank to
acknowledge the hopeIessness Of opposing tho